Bruce and Jim Heichelbech, and their friend Tim, were fortunate enough to fish on the last good day before everything changed. The trio put 49 snook into the boat on the last good day before the rains came. The goofey weather, fresh water intrusion, and super hot water combined to really slow down the fishing for the rest of the summer, so far.

Normally, the hightest fish per angler total for the month would be the winner. However, I also measure the quality of the fish boated (formula known only to me), and it would be grossly unfair not to consider Barry Fitzgerald and his partner Barry, of Agoura Hills, California. They boated over 20 snook under tough fishing conditions, but the weighty factor is that Barry boated a 17 pound snook, on 8 pound line, in heavy cover. That is no easy feat, my friends. So, for the first time, I don't have what I consider a clear winner, and I am declaring the July AOM to be a draw between Bruce Heichelbech and Barry Fitzgerald. They both did a tremendous job of putting the fish into the boat, and both deserve a mention.